2004 Chinese Olympian Li Ya is suing a Beijing restaurant for millions after an accident left her severely burned, Chinese media reported Tuesday.

Li Ya (China) at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens

The 21-year-old Li filed suit this week against the restaurant, asking for 26 million yuan ($3.8 million) in damages after a waiter dropped a pot of of soup on her June 29, scalding her legs and right side.

"Over almost two months, the wound basically healed, but the scar is very obvious — I have no way of wearing shorts," Li said. "The injury not only affected my life, but also endangered my financial prospects. Therefore I request compensation from the restaurant for medical costs, lost income and mental anguish totaling 26 million yuan."

Now a student at Beijing University of Physical Education, Li is also pursuing a career in performing arts.

"During the recuperation I had to turn down tapings of two shows for CCTV," she said. "Next month I will be going abroad to perform in a musical, but the scars will definitely affect the performance."

Li was a member of China's gold medal-winning team at the 2006 World Gymnastics Championships in Aarhus. From 2004 to 2007, she won five World Cup titles on uneven bars, and won the 2006 World Cup Final title on balance beam.

Injuries cut short Li's chances of competing at the 2008 Olympics, and she retired early in 2008. She nevertheless contributed to China's success in Beijing: Compatriot He Kexin used Li's spectacular combination of Jaeger-half to straddled front flip to win the uneven bars gold medal and help China win the team title.

litigious much?
Wow, Li Ya, ever heard of an accident? Do you think the waiter meant to drop the soup? Well, good for you for showing the world what a classy individual you are by putting a small business out of business with your lawsuit. Defense fees alone will crush them. But hey, that'll definitely teach the waiter to be more careful in the future! Oh it won't? You mean he's already been fired?

Karenina - you are kidding right?
To the person (Karenina) who posted earlier....are you kidding? If I were Li Ya, I would do the same thing. Large scars on your body can devistate a person both physically and emotionally...especially someone who makes a living in the public eye to do productions etc. She has had to turn down lucrative offers because of her suffering. You make your comments now because it didn't happen to you. I am certain if you were subjected to the burning pain, down time to heal, and permanent scars like Li Ya, you would be singing a different song. Grow up and be a bit more compassionate.

No, actually I wasn't kidding.
I am compassionate - toward the restaurant owners. You're entitled to your opinion and I'm entitled to mine. Maybe you're the one who should grow up since you seem to think this forum is only for people who agree. I happen to value things like free speech and freedom of expression. And, for the record, I am sorry that Li Ya was injured. I just have a problem with frivolous lawsuits. So sue me.

The amount is way off...
Li Ya is actually suing for 0.26 million yuan from what I understand; this is roughly $38,000.

This is simply to cover the costs of the care, loss of wages, etc.

I do feel extremely sorry for her; but I don't think anyone is trying to place blame - I think Li Ya's point here is that the restaurant should pay for her medical bills, not her. When it's nobody's fault, you have to blame the person who actually caused the accident.

PS - all soup in China is served scalding hot; so the temperature that hot is "normal" compared to any other restaurant she could have gone to.

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